Window construction



Aug. 26, 1952 w. J. STARR WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheea'os--Sheefl 1 Filed NOV. 26, 1945 lNVENTOR 59%@ v Q ug. 26, 1952 W.,J. STARR 2,608,278

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 26, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 26, 1952 w. J. STARR wINnow CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 26, 1946 lllll Il INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Aug. 26, 1952 w. J. s-TARR 2,608,278

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 45 1 42' HUILE# '1 "iNvENToR WMJW mi! ORN EYJ Allg. 26, 1952 W J, STARR 2,608,278

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 26, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 26, 1952 w. J. STARR 2,608,278

wINOOw CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. '26, 194e e sheets-sheet e Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE 2,608,278 WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Winfield J. Starr, Philadelphia, Pa. Application November 26, 1946, Serial No. 7 12,282

2 Claims. 1

My invention relates to window structures intended predominantly to permit the convenient addition of storm windows or screens or both to the outside of existing windows.

The purpose of my invention is to facilitate the application and mounting of storm windows `in winter and, permissibly also, screens in summer, on the outsides of the normal windows which have been constructed or whichV may be constructed.

A further purpose is to provide guideways oi' suitably integral metal stampings, which have outer and inner supporting edges for convenient attachment at opposite sides Yof the outside of a window, and each of which carries a first rail for an upper sash between the supporting edges extending down approximately half way only from the top and extending toward the vertical center line of the window farther than either of the supporting edges, andalsoa second rail for a lower sash between the supporting edges and inside the first rail extending up approximately half way only from the bottom and extending toward the vertical center line of the window farther than either of the supporting edges but less far than the rst rail.

A further purpose is to extend a rib from top to bottom of each guideway on the outside of each rstrail.

A further purpose is to extend a rib from top to bottom on the inside of each second rail, and extending toward the vertical center line of the window farther than either of the supporting edges but less far than the second rail.

A further purpose is to engage the inner ribs selectively by latches on the lower sash of the additional window.

A further purpose is to provide a stop adjacent the top of the lower sash to prevent the lower sash from losing contact with the second rail when this is not intended, and desirably also to provide a tongue on the stop which reduces the inner rib and prevents any deection of the lower sash during the upward movement.

A further purpose is to vertically overlap the rst two rails of each guideway.

A further purpose is to provide resilient sealing engagement with the upper and lower additional sashes, at the top of the upper sash, at the bottom of the lower sash and between the two sashes in closed position. y

A further purpose is to provide additional sashes which can readily be removed or replaced from the inside without removal of the ordinary windows, and which, when in position, will give 2 tight sealing and be capable of ready movement up or down.

Further purposes appear in the specication and in the claims.

In the drawings I have chosen to illustrate a few only of the many embodiments in which my invention may appear, choosing the forms shown from the standpoint of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of an ordinary window to which an additional window hasbeen added, using the structure of my invention. Y

Figure 1a is an inside front elevation of Figure 1, showing the frame only.

Figure '1b is a section on the line lb--IIJ of Figure 19.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section of Figure 1 on the line 2-2. 1

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlargement of the section shown in Figure 1 of the top of the additional window.

Figure 3a is a fragmentary enlargement of Figure 3 showing a minor variation. i

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlargement of the section shown in Figure 1 of the meeting of the sashes in the additional window.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlargement of the section of Figure 1, showing the bottom of the additional window.

Figure 6 is a sectional perspective of the additional window of my invention, omitting the sashes of the ordinary window, and breaking away the sashes of the additional window to show the rails'. Y

Figure 7 a 4fragment ofv Figure 6 in which a sash of the additional window is not broken away at the top, so as to show the guiding of the sash on the rst rail. j

Figure 8 is a perspective of a bottom sash of my additional window, omitting the' glass, looking from the inside of the window.

Figure 9 illustrates the sash of Figure 8 partially open to `insert the glass.

Figure 10 is a broken sectional perspective showing a corner pivot in the sash of Figures 8 and 9.1 y

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional perspective showing the lower sash in upper position, and the operation of the stop and guide tongue on the inner rib.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the stop and guide tongue in inoperative position. l

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of my improved additional Window construction, being sectioned through the upper portion of the window, with the lower additional sash partly raised.

Figure 14 is a variation of Figure 13 in which the sashes are not bridging the rails but are guided by the sides of the rails.

Figure 15 is a sectional perspective of a resilient seal at the bottom of the lower sash.

Figure 16 is an enlarged vertical section of the latch mechanism, taken on the lines iii-i6 of Figure 17. i

Figure 17 is a side elevation of a latch in an engaging position.

Figure 18 is a section of Figure 17 on the line lil-IB.

Describing in illustration but not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

In the prior art the fitting of screens and storm windows is a difficult and expensive operation and the changing of storm windows and screens and vice versa is frequently a tedious taskrequiring the use of ladders and operation on the outside of the building. Y

By the presentinvention I have produced an improved guideway, storm window and screen construction, which permits insertion and removal of storm windows from the inside, and chang ing to or from screens from'the inside, and which is very simple and inexpensive to install, avoiding much eld tting of windows and screens without in any way impairing the tightness of the seal obtained. the invention minor variations in dimensions among individual windows can readily be adjusted in connection with the application of the guideways on the outsides of the windows, so that field fitting of the additional windows or screens is usually not necessary.

I illustrate in the drawings a wall 25 having a window opening 2t provided with a window frame 2l of any suitable type, having an upper sash 2@ and a lower sash 29 of the ordinary window, moving in the usual grooves Sil and 3l. The window has inner trim 32 and an inner sill 33, and an outer sill 34 as well as outer trim 35. It will be evident that by showing one type of ordinary window I have no intention of excluding other types, and merely wish to illustrate a conventional ordinary window construction.

A very important feature of my invention is a vertical metallic guideway 3S which I apply at each vertical side of the window as a support, guideand sealing means for the additional window to be inserted.

It will be understood that whenever I refer herein to an additional window I mean a window placed on the outside of an ordinary Window, and which may be a storm window, in which case it will suitably be provided with glass or transparent plastic, or which may be a screen, in which case it will suitably be provided with screening.

The guideways 36 (one on either side of the window) may be Vsuitably stamped or formed from any Iconvenient structural metal, such as aluminum, brass, bronze, stainless steel, steel, magnesium, copper or the like, the gauge chosen being merely stiff enough to bear the loads required.

'Io aid in applying guideways 36, I will preferably add vertical strips 31 to the outside trim of the window, if such are not already employed, adjusting the thickness of the strips to provide the thickness needed for the guideways. The guideways are suitably provided with outer sup- 4 porting edges 38, which conveniently are nailed or otherwise fastened to the outsides of the strips 37, and also with inner supporting edges 39, conveniently at right angles to the outer supporting edges 38, and likewise nailed or otherwise secured to the outer trim of the window frame.

Toward the vertical center line of the window with respect to the'supporting edges 38 and 39, the guideways in horizontal section are bulged or formed to provide an Outer rib 46, a first rail di, a second rail l2 and an inner rib d3, al1 extending vertically. Y

The outer rib 43 is conveniently formed by siniply bending the sheet back upon itself, as shown, and may be in line across the window with the supporting edge 38, as indicated. The rib 49 extends from top to bottom of the guideway and serves to seal the outer additional sash and in seme cases to assist in guiding the outer additional sash.

The first rail 4l .suitably extends toward the centerline of the window approximately the same distance as the outer rib 4t, although in the best application it will extend slightly less than the outer rib 4t. The first rail 4| extends vfrom the top of the guideway approximately half way down the height of the window opening to the point lr-4, as best seen in Figure '6. For the length of the rst rail 4i, there is a slot 45 between the outer rib 40 and the first rail, and below the termination `of the first vrail at 45 the guideway continues with the nat portion 4S having the same extension toward the vertical center line of the window as the bottom of the slot 45.

The second rail 42 extends suitably from the bottom of the guideway up approximately half the height of the Window, terminating at lil', as best seen in Figure 6, :after preferably slightly overlapping the first rail 4l, as shown at dit in that figure. In the lower portion of the window opening between the inner edge of the flat portion 36 and the second rail 42, a slot 4S is provided, but, above the position at 4l where the second rail 42 terminates, a flat portion Qi'. extends upwardly having the same extension towards the vertical center line of the window as the bottom of the Slot 48.

The second rail 42 extends toward the center line of the window less far than the first rail il so that the upper additional sash can be removed without interference with the second rail. Preferably the second rail 42 will extend toward the vertical center line of the window only about as far as the iiat portion 46, which corresponds with the bottoni of the slot 45.

Inside the second rail 42 and having Vless extension toward the vertical -center line of the window than the second rail 42, I provide an inner rib dii, which is spaced from the second rail 42 at the bottom and from the flat portion 49 at the top to provide a slot 5l). The maximum extent of the rib 43 toward the vertical center line of the window is desiriably less than the bottom of the slot d8 and less than the flat portion Il@ so that the lower additional sash can be removed inwardly without interference by the rib 43.

Suitably at the topof the window on the outer trim 5i I apply a horizontal spacer strip 52 if one is-not already present, as shown in Figures l and 3, and secure to the spacer strip, by a supporting edge 53, as through nails, a suitably re silient downwardly extending sheet 54 of any of the metals or alloys referred to for manufacture of the guideway.V The sheet 54 is conveniently stiffened by a board 55 and at the lower end is bent back upon itself to form a resilient sealing edge 56.

At the bottom of the window on the outer sill I apply a sealing strip 51 having a lower portion 58 (Figure 15) applied to the outer sill 34 (Figure l) and an upright portion 59 as best seen in Figure 15 for sealing to the lower sash of the additional window. The upright portion is conveniently bent back upon itself at 60 to provide a resilient sealing member (Figure 5) Small openings 6I are provided at interv-als to permit the escape of water which may ac-cumulate between the additional window and the ordinary window, and drainage channels 62 along the lower portion 58 are in communication with the opening 6I to conduct the water outwardly over the outer sill 34.

The additional window has an upper sash 63 land a lower sash 64 which slide vertically in the guideways. As already explained, the sashes will carry covering material 65 which will normally be glass in the case of storm windows as shown, or screen material in the case of screens. The sashes each comprise vertical or slide members 66 and horizontal or top and bottom members 61 suitably joined at the corners. The vertical members make suitable guiding and supporting contact with the appropriate rails, in the case of the upper sash the contact being with the first or outer rail 4l and in the case of the lower sash the contact being with the second or inner rail 42. This guiding and supporting contact may be established in various ways as shown.

As best seen in Figures 2, '1 and 13, the vertical portions of the sash at the edges are desirably constructed from front and back members 68 joined to a spacer 69. The front and back members 68 are preferably of metallic sheet, turned over at their lateral edges 1I) both toward the guideways and toward the glass or screen to provide smooth edges and to form slots running vertically of the sashes at 1l toward the guideway for receiving the appropriate rail 4I or 42, and at 12 toward the glass or screen for receiving the appropriate glass or screen material. The

' spacer 69 is not carried the full width of the sash,

thus providing ample space for the slots 1 I and 12.

While in the preferred form of the invention, the rails actually extend through the slots 1I (Figures 2 and 13), where desired the rails may extend along the sides of the sash as shown in Figure 14, where the upper rail 4l lies inside of the upper sash and Ithe rib 40 lies outside of the upper sash, providing ample guiding for the upper sash between the two. Likewise in this form the lower rail 42 lies inside the lower sash and guides the inner sides of the lower sash, while the other side of 4i' as shown by 412 guides the outer sides of the lower sash. As in the other forms the upper rail 4| extends from the Itop half way down and the lower rail 42 extends from the bottom half kway up, with slight overlap. Also the lower rail extends less far toward the vertical center line of the window than the upper rail.

The upper sash 13 engages the resilient sealing edge 56 at the top as shown in Figure 3. The top and bottom portions here conveniently formed by bending over a sheet 13 about a spacer 14, the spacer extending down only part way so as to provide a slot 15 to receive the glass or screen at the top. The sheet is nailed or otherwise fastened to the spacer.

In some cases instead of bending the edges of the metal sheet adjoining the glass back upon themselves at 10, it is preferable as shown in Figure 3a to carry the edges straight at 16 and set the glass or other covering 65 in sealing material such as putty 11. Y

On the outside of the lower sash at the top I suitably provide a resilient sealing strip 18 fastened'to the lower sash at 19, bowed out at'80, and having its lower edge curved in at 8 I. This sealing strip provides an air and water tight seal when the sashes are brought together, 'as-shown in Figure 4. A suitable handle 82 may be provided on the outside sash of the additional window.

The bottom of the lower sash seals with the sealing strip 59 against the resilient portion 60 in closed position as best shown in Figure 5, the sealing being on the inside of the lower sash.

One `convenient form of sash construction is best seen in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 12. In this form the individual corners of the sash are jpivotally connected to one another at 83 and curved to permit swinging movement at 84, sothat by opening up a pin at 85 theend jaw portion 86 of the vertical slide member 66 can be separated from the cooperating portion 81 of the horizontal member, thus permitting insertion of glass or other covering material. When the structure is closed as shown in Figure 3, the covering material, with or without frame or stiffening` adjuncts, will provide sufficient lateral stiffness to prevent rocking of the structure around the pivots 83.

It is important in someinstances to permit raising of the lower sash of theadditional window to its full height without removing the lower sash. In order to permit this I preferably provide stop and guiding members on each side at the top of the lower sash.V These are best seen at 88 in Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12, suitably consisting of L plates at each upper corner, swinging on the pivots 83. In the operative position the L plates include upstanding arms 89 which in the upper position of the lower sash engage the top of the frame at 99 (Figure 11) and prevent the lower portion of the sash from leaving contact with the lower and inner or second rail 42. At the same time outwardly projecting tongues 9i engage under the inner rib 43 in the slot 5|! as best seen in Figure 11, preventing the top of the lower sash from falling inward.

When the lower sash is to be removed, the L plates 88 are turned as shown in Figure 12 so that the formerly upstanding arm 89 now extends downwardly and the formerly laterally extending tongue 9| now extends toward the center line of the window and no longer engages under the rib 43 in the slot 50. It is thus possible to move the window fully up in the position of Figure 11 without stop action by the L plates, so that the top of thelower sash can be moved inward and at the same time the bottom of the lower sash can be disengaged from the second rail 42, removing the lower sash bodily through aeoazv's spring urged toward thel active position as bya wire or leaf spring 91 engaging against the side yof the housing at 98. The catch member has a linger hold at 99 which may be pulled from a linger retaining plate IUD fixed to thehousing. Thus in order to raise the lower sash or to hold it in any position, it is merely necessary to grasp the members 99 and |00 on each side of the sash and pinch them toward one another, thus releasing the catches, then raise the window or lower the window to the desired position and release the catches when they automatically spring out into engagement in the slots 50, and against the ribs 43, where they hold by friction or jamming action. n

In the case of the upper sash of the additional window, catches are ordinarily not needed due to the fact that the engagement against the rail 4| is made suiciently tight and provides sufficient frictional gripping to prevent any need for catches. l

It will be understood of course that the additional window may be provided with locking means if desired, but in most cases the lock on the normal window will be relied upon.

The invention may be applied in combination with screens of other types which may be used in addition to or instead of the replacementof the additional window by sashes having screens.

In Figure 2, I have illustrated a roller screen il interposed between the normal window and the additional window and suitably mounted on the guideways by mounting brackets HG2. Detail of this roller screen is illustrated in my U. S. Patent No. 2,359,200 granted May 30, 1944, for Screen Holder, which description is incorporated herein by reference and will not be duplicated here. I illustrate in Figure 2 a holder body m3 and holder bar I B4 as well as a handle ish of the Vroller screen. In order to gain access to the additional window the roller screen will be rolled up out oi the way. n

In some cases it may be desirable to employ a sliding screen, vfor example, over the lower half of the additional window, and I illustrate in Figures 13 and '14 a modification of the guideways to provide further rails |06 or los extending from the bottom half way up and either receiving .lateral slotted edges il of a sliding screen |08 riding the rails (Figure 13) or engaging the vertical edges lill in a slot it formed by an additional rail IllZ as shown in Figure 14. The top `edge of the sliding screen may be sealed to either window in any desired manner. Where the sliding screen is used the additional window sash must be removed through the space not occupied by the sliding screen.

Ii desired, a further inner rib iid may be provided, having less extension toward the center line of the window than the rail m6, the rib iii? being used for catches 92 applied to the sliding screen if desired.

It will be evident that over some portion of the height of the window opening, the interior portion of the guideway is larger than the portion. between the ribs at the appropriate point, so that the corresponding sash or screen can be moved inwardly. Likewise the sashes or" the additional window are in each case narrower than the opening of the ordinary window so that the sashes can readily be removed inwardly. Thus it fwill be evident in Figures 2, 6, 13 and 14 that the rails @I extend farther toward the center line of the window than the rails 42, and the rails ilextend farther toward the center line of the window than the ribs es. in other words, merels a stepformation on the guideway. Likewise, it will be evident from these iigures that the upper sash of the additional window is narrower than the lower sash and that both sashes are narrower than the opening through the ordinary window.

In operation, in converting a normal window to apply the additional window of the present invention, the guideways will be longer than required and will be cut to length, the spacer strips will be applied and the guideways will be fastened on in the 'positions shown. The top and bottom members will then be applied. With the Y lower sash of the ordinary window raised, the upper sash of the additional window will be inserted in the guideways below the rails 'il and moved upward into position engaging the rails 4 I, and making sealing engagement at the top. The lower sash of the additional window will then be moved in through the opening of the ordinary window, and then raised to a position in the guideway above the rails 42, after which it will Ybe moved down engaging the rails G2, holding the catches 92 out of engagement with the ribs i3 as the lower sash is moved down. The catches will be released. when the lower sash has attained the desired position. The L plates 88 will then be rotated to the position of Figures 8, 9 and ll, after which the lower sash can be moved up and down safely without coming out of the guideways. Due to the overlap between the lower sash and the upper sash, the upper sash can likewise be moved up and down safely without coming out, because the overlap prevents the upper sash from coming out of position while the lower sash is in place.

Subsequently the roller screen or sliding screen, if used in addition to the additional window, will he inserted in the usual manner.

The structure is then ready for use for as long as it is desired to retain the additional window in place. When, due to warm weather or otherwise, the additional window is to be removed, it is merely necessary to turn the stops on the lower sash to the Aposition of Figure l2, raise the lower sash, lift it inward, lower it and remove it through the space of the opening of the ordinary window. The upper sash of the additional window can then be moved down and inward to remove it likewise through the opening of the ordinary window.

It will be evident that by my invention, I am able to convert an existing window or apply the structure to new work with a minimum of special fitting, thus greatly simplifying and cheapening the structure.4

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modications to meetk individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of Ymy invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such insofar yas they'fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a window construction, a pair of outer metallic window guideways for application outside va window, each guideway comprising an outer supporting edge and an inner supporting edge for engagement with the window structure along vertical lines, a iirst rail for an upper sash between the supporting edges extending vertically approximately half way only from the top and extending toward the vertical center line of the window farther than either of the supporting edges, a second rail for a lower sash lbetween the supporting edges and inside the first rail, extending vertically approximately half-Way only from the bottom and extending toward the vertical center line of the Window farther than either of the supporting edges but not as far as the iirst rail, an upper sash having guide means for following the rst rail on the two sides and not as wide as the space between the opposedsecond rails, a lower sash having guide means for following the second rails at the two sides, ribs forming slots between said ribs and the rails at the opposite sides of the window and arms on the lower sash extending into the slots behind the ribs in one position Iand swingable to another position in which the lower sash can be moved upward and moved inward at the top to remove it from the rails.

2. In a Window construction, a pair of coop-` erating outer metallic window guideways for application outside of a window, each comprising.

an outer supporting edge and an inner supporting edge for engagement with the Window structure along spacedvertical lines, a rst rail on each guideway for an upper sash between the supporting edges extending vertically approximately half-way only from the top and extending toward the Vertical center line of the window farther than either of the supporting edges, a second rail on each guideway for a lower sash between the supporting edges and inside the first rail, extending vertically approximately only half -way from the bottom and extending toward the vertical center line of the window farther than either of the supporting edges, and a rib on each 10 guideway extending vertically from top to bottom inside the second rail and extending to- Ward the vertical center line of the window farther than either of the supporting edges but not as far as the second rail, in combination with an upper sash having means for guiding connections with the rst rails, a lower sash having Y means for guiding connections with the second rails, and arms pivotally mounted near the top of the lower sash and in one position engaging behind the ribs, while in another position disengaging from behind the ribs and permitting the lower sash to swing inwardly at the top.

WINFIELD J. STARR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

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